Portable insulated container



April 22, 194,1. G. SYKES 4 2,239,128

PORTABLE INSULATED CONTAINER Filed June 20, 1935 2 Shee'tS-Shet '1 Fig- E 29 a George Sykes 40 /z 40 ATT NEYS April 212, 1941. v

G. SYKES PORTABLE INSULATED CONTAINER Filed June 20, l55 2v SheetS-Shet 2 INVENTOR. George Sykes PEANU f Patented Apr. 2 2, 1941 UNITED STAT PORTABLE INSULATED CONTAINER.

George Sykes, Ossining, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to American Flange & Manufacturing Co., Inc., New York. N. Y., a corporation o! Illinois Application June 20, 1935, Serial No. 27,465

(Cl. 22o-9) 3 Claims.

.This invention relates to thermal insulation and more especially to an insulated container adapted to reduce to the lminimum the transfer oi heat (or cold) through a space bounded by relatively higher and lower temperature areas.

An object of the invention isto provide a container having its walls completely surrounded by thermal insulation of the type using steel or other metal sheets spaced apart to provide one or more substantially dead-air spaces in each wall of the container.

Another object is to provide a container made from thermal insulation in which each wall consists of a plurality of disconnected air spaces formed from metal sheets having high reflection and low emission values at the radiation frequently predominating.

Another object is to provide means for increasing the insulating eillciency of a hollow wall container by providing fastening means for the hollow wall portions or members which means will largely or wholly eliminate heat and cold conducting paths `from the inside to the outside of the container.

Another object is to provide a refrigerating container of the type disclosed with spacing and Ventilating .means separating the inner container walls from the vcontainers contents.

Another object is to provide a container for the storage and transporting of dry ice, ice cream, and other cold products, with a minimum of loss due to the admission of heat from outside.

A further object is to provide a container for camping, touring, or other portable or transportable use, in which continuous sheets of boxshaped insulation 'are vseparated by wooden corners or structural members to provide a strong and rugged construction utilizing the heat insulating material itself to form the walls of the container.

' Yet another object is to provide such a container with a hinged top and side members in which the fastenings for the hinges and the top clamps serve the dual purpose of also holding in assembled relation to the structural corner members the thermally insulating wall members comprising said top and sides.

Still another object is to provide a container of this character with an inner container to hold a suitable refrigerant or other temperaturechanging medium,- and to provide proper ventilation throughout the container and around said inner container. i

A further object is to provide an al1-metal heat-insulating container having high insulating eiiiciency against the escape of heat or cold to the outside, yet which can be made of inexpensive material, at a minimum of labor and tool expense, and which will be rigid .and durable, resistable to any ill effects from vibration, which is of low specific heat, is reproof, is not affected by moisture and vapor, and is proof against vermin, insects, rodents, bacteria, and various Bases.

All these and other objects, as suggested herebelow, are attained by the method and means now to be'described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of this invention, showing the lid or top partly raised to expose the interior'construction, and also showing a cut-out portion at one corner with a cross section through the walls thereof.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the container of Fig. 1 taken through the line 2-2 o! Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view from above of said container, taken through the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.-

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of one form of corner construction as used in the embodiment disclosed in the previous iigure.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to that of Fig. 2 but showing a modied form of the corner construction and top sealing. and fastening means.

Fig. B/is an enlarged detail of the corner construction of Fig. 2 but showing a cross-section through the end members of the container and their` handle-attaching means.

And Fig.' 7 is an enlarged detailed sectional view, similar to that of Fig. 6, but showing the upper corner'construction of the modified form of container shown in Fig. 5.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

While this invention contemplates a thermally insulated container for any suitable use, it is shown, in one embodiment disclosed in the drawings, asadapted particularly to a food or lunch container or box adapted to be carried on an automobile for camping or touring purposes, and Y having a hinged lid or top fitting thereover to 'provide a.' closed space within the container insulating heat or cold from or to the outside. In the embodiment disclosed in the first four figures of the drawings the container consists essentially of three container walls, one within another, and each spaced from one another to provide two substantially dead-air spaces in each Wall.

The structure, in detail, consists of a rectangular-shaped outer container I0 having the two sides and the bottom made from a continuous piece of sheet metal, and having the two y ends II fastened to member I0 in any suitable manner, as by soldering or welding. End members II have all of their peripheral edges flanged inwardly as shown at IIa in Figs. 4 and 6, and the member I0 comprising the bottom and sides, and also the top member, are made to overlie said flange IISL in manner clearly disclosed.

Spaced inwardly from the outer wall of the container is an inner wall comprising a continuous member I2 forming the two sides and the bottom, and end members I3 having inward peripheral edge flanges I3 around the sides and bottom and adapted to overlie the end portions of member I2 in manner as shown in Fig. 4. The upper edges of members I3 are flanged in a reverse or Outward direction as at I3, Fig. 6, and their vertical dimension is somewhat less than that of the outer end members I I, as clearly shown.

The inner and outer walls of the container may be made of any suitable material but in the embodiment here described 18-gauge galvanized sheet steel is used.

Somewhat centrally disposed between the outer shell comprising members Ill-I I, and the inner shell comprising members I2-I3 is a third wall made of thermal insulation although it can comprise merely an Iadditional sheet of steel materlal. However, maximum thermal' eiliciency with increased rigidity and strength is attained by employing a sheet steel material fabricated to the shape shown in cross section in Figs. 2 and 3 and numbered I4. This material, known to the trade es Ferro-Therm, is disclosed more fully in the present assignees patent to Le Grand #1,910,703 dated May 23, 1933, on Thermal insulation. Extensive tests have shown that material of this character, preformed into a plurality of adjacent but oppositely-slanted sections separated by embossed beads, fas shown, and having a surface or surfaces with a high degree of reflectivity to infra-'red or heat rays, give a maximum of thermal insulation, particularly where the air spaces on each side of such material are relatively thin, usually not exceeding 1/2 inch between their walls. o

The insulating-wall container I4 is formed in a similar manner to the `outer and inner containers by having its sides and bottom of one piece and its ends separately flanged and fastened thereto in the same manner, for instance, asheretofore described. -The dimensions of the three containers comprising the walls of this invention are such that ya thermally-insulated wall isvformed with two air spaces sealed at the corners of each fiat surface, both said spaces being of substantially equal thickness as shown.

It is now only necessary to permanently position the three container members in proper assembly to form the complete container minus its lid or top. This is accomplished by positioning non-heat-conducting strength members, such as wooden strips I5, Fig. 2, around the bottom edges of outer container l0, to which strips are aiiixed f* of a thickness equal to the desired air space be- L tween the outer container and intermediate or insulating container. Then the insulating container I4 is positioned within outer container I0 and in the angle formed by members I5--I8. A second angular strip assembly l'I-l8 is then positioned around the inner bottom edges of container I4 and thereafter the inner container I2 is positioned in said angle to form a similar ai:` space with the intermediate container.

The same construction is used at the ends of the combined structure where wooden strips I9-2Il, Figs. 3 and 4, act as the angle spacer and strength member between outer end members il and intermediate end members I4; and strips 2I22 serve similarly to strengthen and space members I4 and inner end members I3.

In structures of this character it is highly desirable to eliminate so far as possible all fastening means between the interior of the container and the exterior, and for that purpose the above bottom separating construction has been employed and utilizes no other fastening means.

other metallic, sheet 23, an intermediate sheet 24 and an inner sheet 25, Fig. 2, and wooden spacing and strength strips 26-28 to separate and fasten members 23 and 24, and similar strips 23-23 to separate and fasten members 24-25. Likewise, around the upper edges of containers Ill-II, I2I3, and I4-l4 are other wooden or insulating strips 21-21 and 28-23.

The container comprises this body portion, just described, together with the lid or top afilxed rthereto by a plurality, of hinges 30 and one or more clamps 3|. and there arev also carrying hanf dies 32. These various fittings are utilized to eliminate so far as possible any fastenings having direct-connecting paths for lthe heat between the inside'and the outside of the container. To this end the bolts 33, Figs. 1 Iand 2, which hold the upper portion of the clamp 3| aixed to the lid also serve to permanently fasten the three top members 23, 24, and 25 through their spacing members 26-29; and likewise bolts 34 serve to fasten clamp 3| and also members I0, I4, and I2 through their spacing members 2'I-28. Likewise,

bolts 35-35 serve to fasten hinges 30 and also members I0, I4, and I2 through spacing members 21-28. Finally, bolts 31 serve the dual purpose of fastening handles 32 to the container and also uniting the upper portions of the end members II, I3, and I4. as more clearly shown in Fig.-6.

It then only becomes necessary to provide direct fastening means or bolts 36-36 'at the ends of the structural members comprising the top, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

It now remains to provide means for segregating the refrigerant or other temperature-changing medium from the food or other contents of the container. This is accomplished, in the present embodiment of the invention, by inserting a smaller container 38, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, within the main container walls. This smaller container 38 is also preferably made of sheet metal, preferably steel, suitably galvanized or otherwise protectively coated, and is preferably designed to be moved to any desired position within the container or removed therefrom but is normally inserted in the position shown, in the central portion of the main container, to permit the contents to be inserted on either side thereof for more uniform and more eiiicient treatment of said contents by the refrigerant. -The refrigerant container 38 l ymay consist of the same construction of the main container as regards a continuous piece of metal for the two' sides and the bottom and separate pieces for the ends; in this instance the side and bottom member is flanged over the outer surface of the end members as clearlyshown in Figs. g and 3. A removable top member 438, Fig. 2, also has edge flanges adapted to snugly overlie the upper edge portion of container 38. These flanges project loutwardly aroundlid 39 to assure the proper spaced positioning of container 38 from the side walls ofthe main container, or. fromthe end walls, in case said container 38 is moved of container 38 is also spaced from the bottom of the main container by means of outwardly-projecting lugs or beads 40 in the bottom wall of the container 38 on which the said container rests, with its bottom substantially removed from contact with the bottom of the main container, as in Fig.2. Container 38 being thus positioned substantially away from ythe inner surfaces of fthe main container, permits proper circulation of the air around the surfaces of container 38 and lid and adapted to permit the lid to be entirely removed from the container.

Since a container of this character when used for example 'for the storage or transporting of dry ice, must necessarily be gas-tight, a double seal is desired, and sotwo strips 44-45 of sponge rubber or like sealing material are used and are positioned as shown clearly in Fig. '1 in cross-section. For this purpose the wooden strip 48 which corresponds withstrip 21 of Fig. 6 is made somewhat narrower to provide a space between its upper edge and the lower surface of theV lid strip 41 between which the sealing strip 44 is positioned. V

In this construction the upper plate of the lid or top is flanged downwardly, as shown in Fig. 7, to substantially overlie the edge of the upper portion Vof the sides of the container vto form an additional Y to a position adjacent either end. The bottom shown i Figs. 1 and 2 and in enlarged detail in Fig. 6, wher ein is disclosed in cross-section a strip of square sponge rubber di shaped when under compression somewhat 'as shown in Fig. 6. This strip M extends completely around the four sides of the upper wall portions of the container. It may be fastened in the groove of the side walls of the main container formed by its part assemblage, in any suitable manner, either utilizing the natural resiliency of the sponge rubber material bf the strip to force it into place and retain it there by said resiliency, or to affix it in position as by means of an adhesive; or it may be nailed in position with small brads. The cellular structure of .the sponge rubber serves as additional insulating Aair space lto give an effect similar to that obtained in the hollow wall construction of the container itself, as here disclosed.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the container is designed primarily for use in storing or'transporting a temperature-conditioning substance suchas dry ice, or for the storage or transporting of ice cream or other pre-refrigerated material. Of course it may apply as well to pre-heated substances or materials and to m-aterials for heating any other substance.

In this modification the lower corner construci tion includes the use of a slight modification in the shape and assemblage `oli-the Wooden corner strips for spacing and supporting the plurality of steel sheets forming the walls of the container, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, and also .the use of a lid or cover 42 fastened rto the container by clamps 43-43 positioned along both sides of said metallic seal at this point, and surrounding .the seal formed by .the outer rubber strip 44.

It will be noted that this modiilcation also utilizes as a fastening between the wooden strips and the plurality of steel sheets ordinary wood screws 48 which in no case extend entirely through all three sheets. 'Ihese screws may be in staggered relation, some being applied through the outside sheetand some through the inside sheet. This is shown in the upper corners of Fig. 5.

To further increase the thermal efficiency of the structure. as when bolts are used to fasten the various parts thereof, washers lib-50 of suitable thermally-insulating material may be positioned under the head and nut of the bolt,'as in Fig. 7, and also the bolt positioned in slightly enlarged holes in the three sheets to prevent con-` tact therewith so far as possible.

A wire rack, 5i, Fig.. 5, is also preferably used inside of that'modifled form of the container, to hold the dry ice or packaged ice cream, for instance. out of contact with the inner wall of the container, this having been found to appreciably increase the thermal efficiency, especially where a concentrated hot or cold material is contained within. V

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention is not limited thereto. To those. skilled in the art, many modifications of the invention will be readily apparent, and it will also be obvious to such skilled persons that parts of the device and method may be used without other parts thereof, many such combinations readily suggesting themselves. Therefore, it should be, and is to be distinctly understood that fora denition of the limitations of the invention, reference must be had to the appended claims.

Having now described the invention, what is claimed as new, and for which Letters Patent of the United States is desired, is:

1. In a thermally insulating portable container, a body member comprising la box with an open top, the walls of said box comprising spaced substantially parallel shells of relatively rigid sheet material, a sheet of heat reflecting insulating material mounted in the space between said shells, means for locating and maintaining said shells and insulating sheet is spaced relation, manipulating members on the outside wall of said container, said manipulating members being retained in place by said maintaining means, and' said maintaining means being positioned around the -mouth of said container whereby the paths for heat transfer through the walls of said container are reducedto a minimum.

2. In a thermally insulating portable container. a body member comprising a box with an optan top, the walls of said box comprising spaced substantially parallel shells of relatively rigid sheet material, a sheet of heat reflecting insulating material mounted in the space between said sheils, means for locating said shells and insulating sheet in spaced relation, means passing through one of said shells and said insulating sheet adjacent the mouth oi said container wall for maintaining said shells and, sheet in said spaced relation and manipulating members on the outside wall of said container, said manipulating `members being retained in place by said maintaining means whereby the number oi' members passing through said insulating sheet are reduced to a minimum and the paths for heat transfer through said wallare similarly reduced.

3. A readily por-table heat insulating container;

comprising a box-like member having insulated walls and an open top. an insulated lid for closing said open top, a container for refrigerant mounted for longitudinal sliding movement within said box, said container substantially fili- .ing the space across and vertically of'said box and means comprising projections carried by the container body and flanges carried by the lid of the same to space said container slightly from the bottom, sides and top of said box in order to provide for the circulation of refrigerated air therethrough. whereby said refrigerant container may be moved from place to place within said box, but all parts of said box may be refrigerated to a greater or less degree depending upon the longitudinal position of the refrigerating container within the box.

GEORGE SYKES. 

